The shiny pictures, cost-benefit analysis and other supporting documents have been lodged. Now an ex-banker will determine up to $2 billion of casino-led development on some of Sydney’s most lucrative waterfront.

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Along with the “virtual secrecy" of the process, he was scathing of Echo’s $1 billion-plus counter-proposal, including the Steelman-designed hotels, which he described as “vulgar Americanism", and the company’s plan to build a bridge between Pyrmont and Barangaroo.

“I think the grossest part of it is the bridge. Keep to your own turf. Don’t take up the waterways," said Mr Cox.

Lippmann Partnership founder
Ed Lippmann
was also unimpressed.

“It’s all a bit Las Vegas . . . It’s not good architecture. It’s just flashy," he said. “I think when building on the waterfront you need to be a lot more sensitive."

Mr Lippmann’s firm placed second in the competition for the original ­redevelopment of East Darling Harbour, now called Barangaroo, which is on the western edge of central Sydney. He said the experience left him “a bit suspicious" about design competitions.

Echo has said that it would hold an architectural competition to design its $130 million “City Link" bridge. Mr Lippmann said he was not necessarily opposed to a bridge, but needed further detail on what it form it would take.

Principal of Fitzpatrick + Partners
James Fitzpatrick
, who was involved in the Star’s recent $870 million redevelopment, said he liked that the proposal connected the entertainment area with the city.

Mr Fitzpatrick stressed that it was crucial that Echo respected the area’s character. “It’s really important [Echo] doesn’t try to turn the whole precinct into a fun park," he said.

Sydney Lord Mayor
Clover Moore
would not comment on the individual designs but criticised the process. “I believe that big planning decisions that affect the future of our city should be made in full public view, and with the public’s best interest at heart," she said.

Former Deputy Lord Mayor
John McInerney
said the Echo proposal was better in “town planning terms" because of its links to public transport.

But Mr McInerney, a long-time critic of the Barangaroo development, was scathing of NSW’s unsolicited proposal mechanism.

“If everything’s not subject to planning, that’s just open slather for corruption," he said.

The executive director of the Sydney Business Chamber,
Patricia Forsythe
, defended the law. “Sydney is the winner in this," she said.

A panel chaired by former Commonwealth Bank chief executive
David Murray
will decide which, if either, of the proposals benefits NSW.